Laying out and embalming board



(N0 ModeL) N. T. SHAW.

LAYING OUT AND EMBALMING- BOARD.

No. 327,967. Patented Oct. 6, 1885.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

NOAH T. SHAW, OF COLUMBUS, OHIO, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO GEORGE RIDDLE, OF SAME PLACE.

LAYING-OUT AND EMBALMING BOARD.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 327,967, dated October 6, 1885.

Application filed July 10, 1885. Serial No. 171,214.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, NOAH T. SHAW, a citizen of the United States, residing at Columbus, in the county of Franklin and State of Ohio, have invented new and useful Improvements in Laying-Out and Embalming Boards, of which the following is a specification.

In using the folding table upon which corpses are prepared for burial, I have found the table Wanting in strength at the folding joint, where the greatest weight is sustained by the hinges of the sections. I have also found the capacity for adj ustment to be inadequate to the requirements of the laying-out and embalming operations. In these two particulars my improvements are directed; and their objects are to provide a folding support for the joint of the folding sections and to utilize such middle support as a fixed point from which to make the required adjustments of the table to a horizontal or inclined position, according as it may be used for layingout or for embalming purposes.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents a side elevation of my improved table as adjusted in horizontal position for laying-out purposes; Fig. 2, a similar view of the table as adjusted for embalming purposes in an inclined position; Fig. 3, a vertical longitudinal section of the same. Fig. 4 shows the head-rest.

The board is preferably of two equal sections, (1 and b, hinged together so as to be folded to form an undertakers cabinet, within which the supporting-legs are hinged, so as to be folded within the sections. These sections are preferably cane-bottomed and may be otherwise constructed, as may be desired. Each section is provided with legs a, hinged so as to support each end of the table when in use, and to be folded within their respective frame-sections, and they are held in certain of their supporting positions against blocks d on the inner sides of the frames in the usual manner. To the hinged end of one of the frame-sections I hinge a leg or legs, e, secured, when extended, by a brace-rod, e, to afford support to the middle of the joined sec tions when in use. This middle support serves asa turningsupport for adjusting theboard in a (No model.)

horizontal or in an inclined position, and the means co-operating with this support to effect such adjustment I will now describe. A rod, f, is hinged to the head and foot ends of the table on the inner side of the middle of their width, and passes through a slot in the crossbar m of each of the end legs. These rods are of a length to retain their connection with the legs whether the latter are folded or extended. The cross-bar of each of the end legs is provided with a clamp-screw, g, placed so as to fasten the legs to the hinged rods in whatever positions the legs may be set to adjust the table upon the center leg or legs, for in any position of the table the three legs must co-operate in such adjustment and support.

A brace, e hinged to the framesection, serves to fasten the middle leg or legs as a turning-point when the table is in use. To adjust the table in horizontal position for the purpose stated, the middle leg or legs is fastened by the brace in vertical position, the foot-legs are adjusted, fastened, and braced in vertical position, and the head-legs are adj usted, fastened, and braced in outward inclined position, all the legs having a firm support upon the floor. To incline the board for the purpose stated, thehead-legs are adjusted, fastened, and braced in vertical position, and the foot-legs are adjusted, fastened, and braced in outward inclined position. In either adjustment the table is turned upon the middle leg or legs as a supporting-point, and in either adjustment all the legs are braced and the adjustments are easily and quickly made, and when made give a firm and secure support to the table. 7 As the hinged braces are always connected to the end legs, the table can be quickly set up, adjusted, and the legs clamped to the hinged braces.

The head-rest consists of a semicircular rest, 1', pivoted by a screw-stem, j, to the upper end of a bar, is, fitted vertically in a slot in the frame at the head end of the table. The rest stands in vertical position, and can be turned to either side to adjust the head to one side, as may be desired, and a clamp-screw, Z, and washer m fasten the rest when adjusted. The rest is adjusted vertically in a keeper, n, fastened on the inner side of the frame below the slot and fastened by a clamp-screw, 0", when set to the required height.

The frame-sections are provided with suit able sockets to receive and hold posts for supporting a canopy.

It is not intended to claim the boardsections a and b, as to their construction, or as to the construction shown, as they may be made in any suitable manner andjoined by any suitable construction of hinges.

I claim- 1. The combination, with the hinged framesections, of the hinged end legs, 0, the bracerods f f, hinged to the head and foot ends of the said frame-sections, and connected to the said leg cross-bars, and the clamp-screws g, in the said cross-bars, whereby the legs are adjusted to set the table as may be desired, for the purpose described.

NOAH T. SHAW.

Witnesses:

T. K. OoLLINs. LORENZO D. HAGERTY. 

